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Bust-A-Move 2 is the first sequel to "Bust-A-Move", and is also known as Puzzle Bobble 2 outside Europe and North America. Released into the arcades in 1995. The game builds on the original by adding a tournament style variation on the two player game for play against the computer and by adding a branching map to the one player game, allowing the player to periodically select one of two groups of five levels to play next, leading to different game endings. Some of the contestants in the new tournament mode are based on characters from Bubble Bobble, including variations on a Monsta and a Mighta.

The other day me and a friend were talking about puzzle games and he asked me, other than Tetris, what do I think the best puzzle game ever is? The Puzzle Bobble series wins for me, with Puzzle Fighter as a close second. Unlike the many Tetris style falling blocks puzzle games of the time Taito decided to add in a subtle twitch element to the gameplay which puts Puzzle Bobble on a different playing field. In Tetris it's all about knowing where to put the next piece and reacting fast enough to get it there. In Puzzle Bobble you have to know where to put the next bubble and have good enough aim to get it there. The difference between these two gameplay mechanics cannot be overstated. In this regard it's possible that the original Puzzle Bobble was the first innovative puzzle game since Tetris.

But we're here to talk about the sequel. Having branching paths in the single player mode was a great idea and gave the game enormous replay value. I don't remember what other new features were introduced in this one, it's hard to keep track after so many sequels. Suffice to say it's a great entry in the series and a blast to play even today.

For those who might be interested, last year's XBLA release Bust-A-Move Live has two DLC packs available and one of them contains all the levels from Puzzle Bobble 2.

It's good to have another puzzle game to review. This one is got interesting after its prequel because it has both a puzzle mode and a battle mode plus it has colourful backgrounds provided. This is the first Puzzle Bobble game that you get to hear Bub's voice. The appearance of new bubbles like a colour elimination bubble and an unburstable bubble

There are five different endings to get in the puzzle mode depending on the path you've taken. My favourite ending is the one where Bub has many friends. All the creatures who were once his enemies like Monsta and Mighta.

The battle mode has completely different textured bobbles. There are opponents I don't really know and cannot identify like the robot cat for example. The end of the battle mode marks the first appearance of Super Drunk disguised as a bubble dragon.

It is a great shame that the Puzzle Bobble series ends here on Neo-Geo. Not even Puzzle Bobble 2X gets to go on Neo-Geo and it was never even released in the English language. I've no idea why Taito stopped having Puzzle ported on Neo-Geo all together. Still that shouldn't stop any Highscore challenges appearing for Puzzle Bobble 2X, Puzzle Bobble 3 and Puzzle Bobble 4.

This is the game right here. My 2nd (behind Puzzle Bobble 2X) absolute favorite puzzle game of all time. I love this game! One day I shall be wealthy enough to purchase the MVS cart.
Edited by LIFE_IN_2D on 22. September 2010 03:40

Excellent and very addictive puzzle game just like the first Puzzle Bobble game. The kind of game that even people who don't normally play puzzle games would enjoy. As much as I enjoy it though I don't think it's the best puzzle game on the system. IMO that would be Magical Drop 3 by Data East. Has better graphics, gameplay is more fast paced and exciting and the game has more variety with the inclusion of the Magical Journey mode. MD3 also offers a better two player experience I think.
Edited by merlin on 22. September 2010 19:18

Puzzle Bobble 2 definitely belongs on the list of my favorite Neo•Geo titles - I'm glad as hell that I own the original MVS cart as well!

Seriously, this game has just everything what a perfect 1P&2P puzzle game should have. For example a simple but challenging gameplay, a fantastic soundtrack and a high replay-value as well. I mean I still play it at school against my buddies (no better place to kill time );
just yesterday I triumphed again!

I played Puzzle Bobble 3 & 4 as well, but none of these sequels seems to be that sweet as this one. I've never played Puzzle Bobble 2X so far, but I'll definitely catch up on playing it.

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